Find & Compare

Teaching Degrees in Illinois

Quick Degree Finder

Select a Degree LevelSelect a CategorySelect a Subject

TeachingDegrees.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured programs and school search results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site.

311 teaching programs in Illinois accredited by CAEP

167 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees

99 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Illinois

Becoming a licensed teacher in Illinois involves much of the same processes as other states. Teachers must complete at least a bachelor's degree teaching program or a non-teaching bachelor degree program and a teacher preparation program. They must also pass required assessment tests.

Illinois has many colleges and universities to accommodate aspiring teachers. Continue reading to learn about some of the available teaching programs.

Illinois Teaching Degree Programs

There are multiple online degrees in education available at universities in Illinois, including an online/hybrid secondary education certification program that allows teachers to be certified to teach English, math, social science or science to grades 6-12.

Because it is an online/hybrid program, students may be required to attend campus a couple times a year. There are also several online certification programs in English as a second language (k-12) and learning behavior specialist (k-12). They also offer online Master of Arts degrees in English, history and mathematics.

Online Teaching Degrees in Illinois

Chicago State University offers an online Master of Science in Education with a concentration in physical education. Concordia University offers various online master degree programs in areas such as reader education, teacher and learning, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, early childhood special education, reading education, and special education, among others.

Requirements to Teach in Illinois

Illinois requires prospective teachers to have a Bachelor's degree. The traditional route includes a teacher preparation program within the Bachelor's degree curriculum. The Department of Illinois requires teachers to fulfill the requirements stipulated in an entitlement process.

Illinois issues three types of licenses - Substitute License, Educator License with Stipulations, and Professional Education License. For each license, candidates may earn appropriate endorsements to the grade level(s) and subject(s) to be taught.

Prospective teachers must pass three exams - a basic skills test, appropriate content area exam(s), and edTPA. There are alternative routes to becoming licensed for those with a Bachelor's degree but not a completed teacher preparation program.

Traditional certification typically requires students to complete a major in a specified field or a minimum of 15 semester hours in a specialized area. Those attending out-of-state preparation programs must complete 32 hours of content coursework. For those pursuing an alternative teacher certificate, the university or college administering the teacher preparation program determines if further content area study is necessary.

Scholarships/Financial Aid Available

Illinois has many services and programs that deliver financial aid to Illinois students. The types of financial aid are listed below. They include:

Scholarship programs

Grants and work-study

Savings programs and 529 College Prepaid Tuition

Loan programs

Loan repayment/forgiveness programs

The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program is a scholarship program that encourages Illinois students who are academically talented to pursue teaching careers by providing tuition assistance. Minority students and those who are willing to teach in hard-to-staff or high-need schools have an advantage.

Freshmen and sophomores may qualify for as much as $2500. Juniors and seniors may be eligible for as much as $5000. Applicants agree to teach full-time for no less than five years in an Illinois nonprofit parochial, public or private preschool or an elementary or secondary school Illinois considers a School of Need.

Not fulfilling the teaching commitment converts the award to a loan to be repaid with interest. Illinois also sponsors College Savings Bonds that are zero-coupon, tax-exempt bonds that provide investors with a long-term investments that help fund college expenses.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Illinois is among the easiest states to obtain in-state tuition rates. Southern Illinois University in-state tuition rates apply to domestic non-Illinois residents. The rate is available to those completing degrees, re-entering students, and new students.

Many out-of-state students also qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois State University. Select students save approximately $11,000 per year. To qualify, students must reside in a state that borders Illinois (Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, or Iowa).

As a first-year student, newcomers to college must have a cumulative high school 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. SAT scores must be at least 1200 (A composite ACT score of 25 is comparable.) Transfer students must have at least a 3.5 GPA on the 4.0 scale.

The rate of tuition is locked in. Incoming undergraduates can make long-term plans with peace of mind. Four years is the cap for most students, but some majors qualify for the extended time needed to complete the program.

AD

Programs That May Be Currently Accepting Applicants

The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares candidates for roles as teachers in diverse educational settings in grades K–12. Composed of live online classes and fieldwork experiences, the MAT online can be completed in 12 months from wherever you live. The program challenges you to apply theory learned in class to real schools, preparing you to earn your teaching credential and become a transformative teacher.Click for admissions information.

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in Illinois

Augustana College offers bachelor degree programs in elementary education, secondary education (6-12) with concentrations in mathematics, English language arts, social science and science. Additionally, AC offers licensure programs in foreign language, art and music education (k-12). The bachelor degree programs include at least three internships and also offer some students opportunities to study in Florida or Jamaica to obtain hands-on training.

Chicago State University offers a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and elementary education with a middle school option. CSU also offers an undergraduate degree in early childhood education with a focus in bilingual education. Eastern Illinois University has a large variety of bachelor degree teaching programs including bachelor degrees in elementary education, health studies, middle school education, kinesiology and sports studies, recreation administration, special education and secondary education.

Each of these majors offer several areas of concentration. Bachelor degree programs in early childhood education, elementary school, physical education, secondary education, special education: early childhood and special education: learning behavior specialist are all offered at Judson University along with various areas of concentration. For instance, the secondary education program offers concentrations in biology, science, mathematics, physical education and social science.

Master’s in Education Degrees in Illinois

Chicago State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching for students who have a non-teaching degree but want a career teaching. CSU also has master degree programs in special education learning behavior specialist, educational leadership, and curriculum and foundations. Eastern Illinois University offers Master of Science programs in educational administration, elementary education, community counseling, school counseling, physical education, special education and school psychology.

Concordia University is rich in graduate programs. It offers master degree programs in curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, early childhood special education, educational technology, higher education leadership, music, online teaching for pk-12 educators, reading education, special education and more.

Illinois Teacher Certification & Specializations

UIS offers an educational leadership administrative certification program. Individuals who hold non-teaching bachelor degrees can obtain their teaching license with the non-degree certification program offered at Chicago State University. Concordia University offers certification programs in ESL, ESL and bilingual, special education, reading, technology specialist, secondary education and school counseling. These are Master of Arts programs that provide the student with certification in that specific area upon successful completion of all program requirements.